Tuesday, August 17, 2010

We're leaving tomorrow for a long visit home to Kansas. It is an unexpected trip. And while the reason is not a happy one, I am looking forward to seeing all of my family, most of whom I haven't seen in a year or more. I can't wait for Sophie to spend time with her grandparents and cousins.

What I am not looking forward to is flying with Sophie alone.

A-L-O-N-E.

Because of the short notice and because Neil just started a new job, he isn't able to come with us. So that means I'll be on my own.

Nobody to take care of the carseat and the luggage.

Nobody to watch her so I can go to the bathroom. (Praying my constitution doesn't require an, ahem, extended visit.)

Nobody to help distract her so she doesn't spend two hours kicking the seat in front of her.

I traveled with her alone once before, but she wasn't even walking yet. So while it wasn't easy, at least I didn't have to worry about her running off. But this is a whole other ball game.

And there's supposed to be bad storms tomorrow night. Like flash flood, crazy rain kind of bad storm. So of course I've got visions of the Twilight Zone monster on the wing. Not to mention nausea inducing turbulence. That will probably send us hurtling to the earth in a thousand ton tin can. Clearly I'm thinking of only the best possible outcomes.

So around about 5:55pm tomorrow, can you all think buoyant thoughts? And sleeping toddler thoughts? I'll need all the positive energy flowing my way I can get.

Good luck! I wanted to go visit my cousin this summer, but when it came down to trying to figure out how to fly alone with my two, I just couldn't face up to it. Sorry you're having to make a trip for not pleasant reasons. Will be thinking of you and hoping all is okay!

Stop at the dollar store, get some cheapy little toys and give them to her as a surprise every half hour or so. Bring books. Bring snacks. Does she have a little backpack? My girls loved to feel like a "traveler"...

Having flown by myself with 3 kids overseas way too many times to count, I sadly will admit that it's the short flights that I dread the most.

I agree about the Benadryl - or even Dramamine - both come in chewable tablets. I always have them in my purse! And YES, a backpack of her own? My girls love wheeling theirs through the airport and then taking stuff out during the flights. Play dough is great!

I am praying for a safe flight. I echo your concerns and I have done this very same thing while being preggers with #2 and having to fly with #1 in my lap. It was an adventure, but we survived. You will, too! I hope everything is okay!

It's not fun, but it is doable. :) I'm sorry you have to make the trip but I'm thinking good thoughts at you!

I dreaded traveling alone with my son but I've done it at 10 months, 1.5 years, 2.5, and 3. Each one has challenges but he did really well each time -- the think the fascination at the plane, all the people, was good. I also got little things to entertain and feed him with.

Good luck! I have traveled alone with my now-3-year-old quite a few times. It's never easy. My daughter isn't allowed to watch TV very often, so her special treat on long car rides and on the airplane... the PORTABLE DVD PLAYER. The best 3 words ever! A couple of Dora cartoons, some snacks, and we are set! Until it's time to land and you have to turn off all portable electronic devices. Sometimes that doesn't go so well. Oh, but she has her own little wheely backpack that she can pack with toys and take thru the airport and she loves that too! (And Benadryl makes her hyper, so that's not a cure-all.) Good luck!

Sorry about your unexpected trip and I hope you made it to Kanasas ok. We are on the plane right now to Florida and this is Shaun and Shae's first flight which I was nervous about but they are fine. WAY better then I would have ever thought. Actually they are both sleeping right now along with Melinda. LOL.

I was **TERRIFIED** to travel alone with my little crazy dudes but we did and and we survived and amazingly enough, I even got complimented on their good behavior! I was floored. That NEVER happens. Anyway, I am sure it will go better than you think it will, it always does for me! Oh, and it might be too late now - but when all else fails - C.A.N.D.Y!